Display device



Sept 20, 1938. c. J. DAVISl v 2,130,616

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed De. 13, 1937 Patented Sept. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE Application December 13, 1937, Serial No. 179,505

'2 Claims.

This invention relates to merchandise display devices, and it relates particularly to display devices for use in connection with boxes, crates, etc., for the purpose of displaying such merchandise as apples, oranges, and the like.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a novel and improved cleat which. can be easily attachedto an edge of a box and used in association with a second similar cleat attached to an opposite edge of the box to hold and retain a cord lacing over an open side of the box to prevent articles of merchandise held within the box from falling out when the box is disposed in various different positions for display purposes.

The objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference char- 20 acters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the various views, and in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective View illustrating a crate of oranges employing my display device;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of one of the display cleats;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one corner of the crate shown in Fig. 1, the view being on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken transversely of the cleat on the plane of line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown an ordinary box or crate 5 having an open top and of the type employed commonly for transportation and shipment of oranges, apples, and other fruits. This crate is shown as containing oranges 6, these oranges being so placed in the crate that the upper row of oranges will project somewhat outwardly from the open top of the crate, so as to present the appearance of bursting forth from the crate. With this crate 5, a pair of cleats A and a cord B, forming the subject matter of the present invention, are employed to retain the oranges B within the crate when the crate is up-ended, or otherwise positioned, for display purposes.

`Each cleat A consists of an angle bar of light gauge metal having one flange 'l provided with a plurality of triangular pointed prongs B pressed therefrom to stand at rightangles relative to the ilange l. The other flange 9 of each cleat A has a plurality of longitudinally spaced hooks Ill pressed therefrom. These hooks are of general angular-shape with the outer portions disposed substantially parallel to but spaced slightly from 55' the main body of the flange 9. The hooks l` are so located that their free ends face toward the ange l'. As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the bottoms of the hooks l are rounded or cupped at Il. Adjacent one end of each cleat and located in closely spaced relationship from the last one of the hooks I ll adjacent that end of the cleat, a hook l2 is pressed from the flange 9. This hook I2 is similar to the hooks I0 with the exception that the free end of the hook I2 extends away from the flange 1.

In using the display device, two of the cleats A are employed in connection with a crate having an open top. The two cleats are applied to opposite ends of the crate at the top thereof so that the flanges 9 overlie the top edges of the ends of the crate and the flanges 1 lie alongside of the outer surfaces of the ends of the crate. The prongs 8 are, of course, pressed or driven into the wood of the crate to retain the cleats in position. After the cleats are applied and the fruit 6, or other merchandise to be displayed, has been arranged as desired the cord B is laced across the open top of the crate between opposing hooks IB of the two cleats. One end of the cord is caught by the hook I2 and the adjacent hook I0 of one of the cleats and the cord is then strung across to the last hook I0 of the opposing cleat at the corresponding side of the crate, whereupon the cord is crossed over to the next adjacent hook l0 of the last mentioned cleat and then strung across to the opposite hook l0 of the rst mentioned cleat. In this manner spaced parallel portions of the cord will extend from one end of the crate to the other to hold the merchandise in place. The last strung end portion of the cord is caught and hel-d by the remaining hook I2 and neighboring hook I0 of the particular cleat to which the other end of the cord has not been previously secured. By rounding the bottoms of the various hooks I0, no sharp edges of the hooks are presented to the cord to cut the cord and the cord can be readily pulled tightly after being laced to take up any slack.

Of course, the cleats can be readily removed from the crate or box for use on other boxes when the merchandise is sold. While the display device can be used in connection with many different types of merchandise displayed, it is particularly effective for displaying fruits or other articles having a general rounding contour such, for example, as apples, oranges, grape fruit, peaches, pears, grapes etc. The device is also effective for use in displaying smaller articles, such as cranberries, nuts etc., when a sheet of Cellophane or other transparent material is located over the articles below the cord B. When the display is used the box or crate can be upended and a number of crates can be assembled in attractive fashion to draw the attention of customers.

It will be seen that an inexpensive and highly 1. The combination with a box having an open top and Within which fruit and the like may be displayed, of a pair of angle bars mounted on the tops of opposite Walls of the box, each angle bar having a flange overlying the top of the Wall to which it is secured and equipped with a plurality of spaced hooks and a cord laced across the opening in the box and retained in position by the hooks of the two bars.

2. The structure deiined in claim l, said angle bars having other flanges located at the outer sides of said walls and having prongs embedded in said Walls.

CLARENCE J. DAVIS. 

